Chelsea offer free travel to fans for Christmas Eve fixture at Wolves

LONDON : Chelsea supporters travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers for the Premier League fixture on Christmas Eve will be offered free transport to and from the game, the London club said on Monday.

The match was originally scheduled for Dec. 23 but has been moved to Dec. 24 for a 1300 GMT kickoff, marking the first time a Premier League game will be held on Christmas Eve since 1995.

"The club is aware that transport options are more limited than usual on this date, as it is a Sunday and also Christmas Eve," Chelsea said in a statement.

"As a sign of appreciation for fans making this trip, Chelsea Football Club will be offering free travel as a goodwill gesture to anyone who purchases a ticket."

Coaches will be available to book when match tickets go on sale, the club added.

The change of date to Christmas Eve was criticised by the club's fans who described it as "totally unacceptable". The Chelsea Supporters' Trust said match-going fans would face issues travelling to Wolves on a holiday weekend.

"Not only could this lead to staffing issues at Molineux, but holiday transport timetables will further inconvenience supporters," it said on Thursday.

The rescheduling is also a double blow to Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino as the Argentine will be unable to celebrate his wedding anniversary as well as the holiday.

"It is difficult because it is not easy to change," he said last week. "We need to accept we are in England and it is different to the rest of the world ...

"Even if I am not happy, we need to try to be in our best level and accept a situation we cannot change."